The Spine became the stage for an environmental discussion when NYPIRG hosted an event educating students on the potential dangers of fracking.
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, involves pumping chemically treated water into shale rock formations, which hold natural gas reserves that can be used as fuel. In the U.S. the process is legal on a local and state basis, and it is allowed in Pennsylvania but not currently in New York.
Citizens and environmental groups like the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) have many concerns surrounding the process and worry that it may pollute groundwater and cause small ground tremors.
NYPIRG has an office on the Binghamton University campus and the student president of the organization said that he thought this was a good opportunity to educate the student body.
“Fracking of natural gas is going to have an effect on people,” said Eli Weissman, a junior double-majoring in history and philosophy, politics and law. “We focus on educating students and students here might have the power to effect policy one day.”
NYPIRG members handed out anti-fracking flyers with facts about the procedure and asked students on the Spine to call Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office and voice their concerns about fracking in the Binghamton area and New York state.
A member of the E-Board was also dressed in a suit to represent a fracking executive and students were allowed to throw pies at him after calling the governor, which according to Sam Clark — an intern with NYPIRG — over 50 people did.
Clark, a sophomore majoring in philosophy, politics and law, said he was confident the event educated students about fracking.
“We found a way to make it a sort of non-threatening entry into the topic,” Clark said. “A lot of people are from here so it just gives them a little bit of local perspective, that it can pose a danger to this community.”
Even though he received positive feedback, Clark added that the turnout was not as big as his organization would have liked.
“We didn’t have many signs up; it wasn’t super visible,” Clark said. “It wasn’t a huge event but I would say it was definitely successful.”
Justin Vega, a senior majoring in psychology, said that he thought events like this were helpful in keeping students up to date on current events and local issues.
“When you’re at college you kind of lose an understanding of everything else around you,” Vega said. “You’re kind of in a bubble and especially for people who live off campus, just to let them know this is what’s happening, to spread awareness and just inform people.”
According to Weissman, NYPIRG hopes to host more events this semester to inform students about important issues facing the area.
“We’re just trying to raise awareness of what fracking is,” Weissman said. “A lot of people aren’t familiar with the science behind it or the effects of it.”